November 5th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Al Mills 1910
Happy Birthday:
Allison Kay\Sienna (38)
Roxanne Perez (24)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
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The Life and Career of Al “Mr. Murder” Mills
Born Adolph Henry Mittlestadt on November 5, 1910, in Camrose, Alberta, Mills entered the world of wrestling in 1931, adopting a persona that would make him a feared heel in rings across North America. Standing at 6’2” and weighing 265 pounds, his imposing physique complemented his aggressive style, earning him nicknames like “Mr. Murder” and ring aliases such as Lord Albert Mills and the Masked Zorro.
Mills’ wrestling journey was marked by his role as a tag team specialist and a master of the backbreaker, a signature move that left opponents writhing in pain. He gained prominence in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly through his partnership with Tiny Mills in the infamous “Murder Incorporated” stable, a duo that terrorized promotions with their brutal tactics and coordinated assaults. This alliance not only amplified his notoriety but also highlighted the era’s fascination with dramatic storylines pitting good against evil. Mills competed in various territories, including Stampede Wrestling, where he became a staple villain, drawing heat from crowds with his underhanded maneuvers and menacing demeanor.
Tragically, Mills’ life was cut short when he passed away on October 7, 1961, at the age of 51.
One Thing I Learned Today About Al Mills
Pictured: Al “Mr. Murder” Mills and Tiny Mills, Murder Incorporated
The 1950s wrestling publication “Wrestling Facts” wrote of the tag team, Al and Tiny Mills, “two of the most ruthless wrestlers in the game. They are known as cripplers. Their plan is to cripple an opponent, leave him helpless on the ring floor and then pin him.”
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I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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Al and Tiny also had a niece or cousin through marriage named Alma Mills who was a lady wrestler who was busiest on the Eastern Seaboard in the 50's after moving to Boston.
Between 1944 and 1952 Al Mills was a regular opponent of Stu Hart's. The Edmonton newspapers of that era were full of regular reports on their tussle's in the ring. Stu Hart's partner in ownership of Klondike Wrestling (Stu bought him out in the late 50's), Al Oeming, said that Al Mills struck one of the most fearsome and cold appearances of all the wrestlers he ever knew stating his overall vibe was "satanic" in his long black velvet robe. He would stand his ground against riotous crowds who would part like the Red Sea to allow him passage back to the dressing room. There is no other wrestler I wish I could go back in time to watch more.
Don S,
Calgary